‘Mass Effect 3’ Leviathan DLC Release Date

It may not be a complete plot or mission breakdown, but a release date at this point is more than welcome. Fans of Mass Effect 3, BioWare‘s last adventure starring Commander Shepard can mark their calendars, with an official release date of August 28 has been confirmed. That marks the new content’s arrival for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, with European PS3 owners required to wait one extra day.

The launch date has been confirmed by the developer on their official forums, meaning that while the games industry ramps up for PAX Prime 2012, science fiction fans will be counting down the days until another mysterious chapter of Mass Effect 3‘s mythology is unveiled. Those who completed the game may not see the need for further investigation – depending on how their specific conclusions played out – but the most devoted fans know there are plenty of questions still unanswered.

No, we’re not talking about the various issues raised with the game original and, likely, its extended endings as well. The fact is that while the Reaper threat may have been eradicated at the game’s conclusion, their motivations and origins are still unclear. While the sentient dreadnaughts might claim to be the biggest bullies in the schoolyard, various hints and details given throughout the series have implied that isn’t the case. And they all seem connected to something called ‘Leviathan.’

The earliest uncovering of Leviathan details seemed to imply that the name referred to a Reaper that had gone rogue from his genocidal brethren. While that has since proven to be slightly off-base, the fact that the Leviathan does have a voice actor implies sentience of some type. The official details for the DLC release by EA confirmed that Leviathan was a fabled ship located somewhere in the galaxy. A ship that has the power to kill Reapers. It’s still possible that the two explanations are not mutually exclusive, and that Leviathan is a Reaper creation, albeit one that has since left their ranks.

What is explicitly clear is that the quest to find Leviathan and uncover more information about the origins and essence of the Reapers will be taking Shepard to new worlds, and new depths. Underwater mechs are on hand to bring some new types of gameplay, but the early previews also confirm that there will still be plenty of the usual style as well.

It’s hard to tell just how much story content or “gripping storylines” can be packed into the DLC, which apparently clocks in at just over two hours. Regardless, it’s safe to assume that this trip below surface is one that most hardcore Mass Effect fans won’t be able to resist.

We’d make a joke about ‘holding your breath,’ but…even we can only sink so deep.

The Mass Effect 3 Leviathan DLC will be released for $9.99 on August 28, for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.